Inline electric portable fluid pump and method

ABSTRACT

An inline portable electric fluid pump is disclosed herein. The inline portable electric fluid pump includes a pump housing, a fluid-conveying cavity, a pump drive, an inlet hose, an outlet hose, a nozzle, a nozzle interface, an electric motor, and an electrical interface. The fluid-conveying cavity may be a hollow section integrated into the pump housing having an inlet side and an outlet side to permit the passage of a fluid through the pump housing. The pump drive may be contained within the fluid-conveying cavity. The inlet hose may be attached to the inlet side of the fluid-conveying cavity, and the outlet hose may be attached to the outlet side of the fluid-conveying cavity. The nozzle interface may join the nozzle to the outlet hose. The electric motor may be attached to and may operate the pump drive.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/397,691 filed Sep. 21, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of pumps of existing art and more specifically relates to an inline fluid pump.

RELATED ART

A pump is a device for moving fluids through mechanical action. A variety of mechanical solutions for pumps exist, such as displacement pumps, direct lift pumps, and gravity pumps. All pumps function by converting energy into a mechanical action, such as rotary or reciprocating movements, in order to move the fluid. Applications vary from microscopic medical pumps, to agricultural fluid distribution, to large industrial pumping applications. Pumps may be used to pump drinking water from wells, filter bodies of water, aerate fluids, transfer fuels, and remove natural resources from the earth.

While the variety and versatility of pumps allow them to be used in many applications, they are usually specialized for a single purpose and may be difficult to adapt to other uses. Issues such as portability, power sourcing, and methods of interfacing with the fluid can result in such inflexibility. A suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,877 to Colin Metcalfe relates to a portable liquid pump. The described portable liquid pump includes a portable hand held controllable and directable liquid pumping device including a vortex pump head fitted to a first end of an elongate flexible drive shaft and a pump drive fitted to a second end of the flexible drive shaft in which the pump drive includes a substantially rigid elongate housing for a portion of the drive shaft and the elongate housing includes a first handle at or near the first end remote from the pump drive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known pump art, the present disclosure provides a novel inline portable electric fluid pump. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a inline portable electric fluid pump.

An inline portable electric fluid pump is disclosed herein. The inline portable electric fluid pump includes a pump housing, a fluid-conveying cavity, a pump drive, an inlet hose, an outlet hose, a nozzle, a nozzle interface, an electric motor, and an electrical interface. The fluid-conveying cavity may be a hollow section integrated into the pump housing having an inlet side and an outlet side to permit the passage of a fluid through the pump housing. The pump drive may be contained within the fluid-conveying cavity. The inlet hose may be attached to the inlet side of the fluid-conveying cavity, and the outlet hose may be attached to the outlet side of the fluid-conveying cavity. The nozzle interface may join the nozzle to the outlet hose. The electric motor may be attached to and may operate the pump drive. The electrical interface may be configured to couple the electric motor to a power source.

According to another embodiment, a method of displacing a fluid is also disclosed herein. The method of displacing a fluid includes providing the portable pump, inserting the inlet hose into a body of fluid, positioning the outlet hose at a desired location to deposit the fluid, and activating the electric motor to engage the pump drive.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, an inline portable electric fluid pump, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable pump during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portable pump of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the portable pump of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the portable pump of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the portable pump of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the portable pump of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for displacing a fluid, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a pump and more particularly to an inline portable electric fluid pump as used to improve the displacing of a fluid.

Generally, the inline portable electric fluid pump provides users with a portable handheld pump system operated via a rechargeable battery. This allows users to displace liquid from a container without the need for hand pumping, syphoning, and the like. It includes interchangeable nozzles for various situational usages. It features an adjustable motor speed selection and optional automatic pumping when a nozzle is opened. The inline portable electric fluid pump offers a fast, easy, and convenient method for firefighters to battle fires, lawn and garden professionals to water their plants, and much more.

The inline portable electric fluid pump is an on-demand pressure system for various types of pumps. The device is comprised of a portable handheld pump system operated via rechargeable battery. A suction line and discharge line with a nozzle can be included. The system can be hooked onto any type of container capable of dispensing water, gasoline, hazardous chemicals, and other materials. The pump can be inserted into a container and then activated. This primes the pump to a set motor setting, and the pump turns off automatically until the nozzle is opened. Once open, the pump may start the transfer of liquid until the nozzle is once again closed. The process can be repeated to dispense as much liquid as required. The portable pump may be constructed using rubber, plastic, and other suitable materials. Exact size, measurement, construction, and design specifications may vary upon manufacturing.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4C, various views of a portable pump 100.

FIG. 1 shows a portable pump during an ‘in-use’ condition 50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the portable pump may be beneficial for use by a user 40 to displace a fluid. As illustrated, the portable pump 100 may include pump housing 110, fluid conveying cavity 112, pump drive 114, inlet hose 120, outlet hose 122, nozzle interface 124, nozzle 126, electric motor 116, and electrical interface 118. Fluid-conveying cavity 112 includes inlet 121 and outlet 123, and is integrated within pump housing 110. Pump drive 114 is disposed within fluid-conveying cavity 112 and is configured to displace fluid 10. Pump drive 114 is self-priming, and is constructed of corrosion resistant materials. Inlet hose 120 connected to inlet 121 of fluid-conveying cavity 112, and outlet hose 122 is likewise connected to outlet 123 of fluid-conveying cavity 112. Nozzle 126 configured to modify fluid flow 20 from outlet hose 122, with nozzle interface 124 detachably joining nozzle 126 to outlet hose 122. Electric motor 116 is attached to pump drive 114 and is configured to rotate pump drive 114. Electrical interface 118 is configured to join power source 134 to electric motor 116. Electric motor 116 is waterproof.

According to one embodiment, the portable pump 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the portable pump 100 may further include a set of instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the portable pump 100 such that the portable pump 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

FIG. 2 shows the portable pump of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the portable pump 100 may include inlet hose 120, outlet hose 122, nozzle interface 124, and nozzle 126. Inline portable electric fluid pump 100 further includes shut-off valve 128 configured to restrict fluid flow within outlet hose 122. Shut-off valve 128 is attached to outlet hose 122. Nozzle interface 124 comprises an interrupted thread configured to facilitate expedient exchanges of nozzles. Inlet hose 120 and outlet hose 122 each comprise flexible conduits.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the portable pump of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Inline portable electric fluid pump 100 further includes on/off switch 130 configured to selectively transmit voltage 30 between electrical interface 118 and electric motor 116. Inline portable electric fluid pump 100 also includes rotary switch 132 comprising a rheostat configured to selectively restrict magnitude of voltage 30 transmitted between electrical interface 118 and electric motor 116 (FIG. 1), wherein adjustment of rotary switch 132 facilitates a corresponding-adjustment fluid flow 20 (FIG. 1) displaced by the inline portable electric fluid pump 100. Inline portable electric fluid pump 100 further includes control circuit 138 configured to transmit voltage 30 to electric motor 116 (FIG. 1) when shut-off valve 128 is opened. Shut-off valve 128 is integrated into pump housing 110.

FIG. 4A-4C are perspective views of the portable pump of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Power source 134 is a rechargeable battery detachably joined to electrical interface 118. Inline portable electric fluid pump 100 further includes battery charger 136 detachably joined to the rechargeable battery. As shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B battery charger 136 is selected from a group consisting of a car charger and a wall charger.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for displacing a fluid, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method for displacing a fluid 500 may include one or more components or features of the portable pump 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method for displacing a fluid 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing a portable pump configured to transfer fluid comprising: a pump housing, a fluid-conveying cavity having an inlet and an outlet integrated within the pump housing, a pump drive disposed within the fluid-conveying cavity configured to displace fluid, an inlet hose connected to the inlet of the fluid-conveying cavity, an outlet hose connected to the outlet of the fluid-conveying cavity, a nozzle configured to modify a fluid flow from the outlet hose, a nozzle interface detachably joining the nozzle to the outlet hose, an electric motor attached to the pump drive configured to rotate the pump drive, and an electrical interface configured to join a power source to the electric motor; step two 502, inserting the inlet hose into a body of fluid; step three 503, positioning the outlet hose at a desired deposition location; step four 504, opening the shut-off valve; step five 505, activating the electric motor, the electric motor being configured to rotate the pump drive; step six 506, closing the shut-off valve.

It should be noted that step 506 is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for displacing a fluid, are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A portable pump configured to transfer fluid, the portable pump comprising: a pump housing; a fluid-conveying cavity having an inlet and an outlet integrated within the pump housing; a pump drive disposed within the fluid-conveying cavity configured to displace fluid; an inlet hose connected to the inlet of the fluid-conveying cavity; an outlet hose connected to the outlet of the fluid-conveying cavity; a nozzle configured to modify a fluid flow from the outlet hose; a nozzle interface detachably joining the nozzle to the outlet hose; an electric motor attached to the pump drive configured to rotate the pump drive; and an electrical interface configured to join a power source to the electric motor.
 2. The portable pump of claim 1, wherein the portable pump further includes an auxiliary shut-off valve configured to restrict fluid flow within the outlet hose.
 3. The portable pump of claim 1, wherein the portable pump further includes an on/off switch configured to selectively transmit voltage between the electrical interface and the electric motor.
 4. The portable pump of claim 1, wherein the portable pump further includes a rotary switch comprising a rheostat configured to selectively restrict magnitude of voltage transmitted between the electrical interface and the electric motor, wherein adjustment of the rotary switch facilitates a corresponding-adjustment in fluid flow displaced by the portable pump.
 5. The portable pump of claim 1, wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery detachably joined to the electrical interface and a battery charger detachably joined to the rechargeable battery.
 6. The portable pump of claim 1, wherein the portable pump further includes a control circuit configured to transmit voltage to the electric motor when the shut-off valve is opened.
 7. The portable pump of claim 5, wherein the battery charger is selected from a group consisting of a car charger and a wall charger.
 8. The portable pump of claim 1, wherein the inlet hose and the outlet hose each comprise flexible conduits.
 9. The portable pump of claim 1, wherein the nozzle interface comprises an interrupted thread configured to facilitate expedient exchanges of nozzles.
 10. The portable pump of claim 1, wherein the pump drive is self-priming.
 11. The portable pump of claim 2, wherein the shut-off valve is integrated into the pump housing.
 12. The portable pump of claim 2, wherein the shut-off valve is attached to the outlet hose.
 13. The portable pump of claim 1, wherein the pump drive is an impeller.
 14. The portable pump of claim 1, wherein the pump drive is a positive displacement pump.
 15. The portable pump of claim 1, wherein the pump drive is constructed of corrosion resistant materials.
 16. The portable pump of claim 1, wherein the electric motor is waterproof.
 17. An inline portable electric fluid pump configured to transfer fluid, the inline portable electric fluid pump comprising: a pump housing; a fluid-conveying cavity having an inlet and an outlet integrated within the pump housing; a pump drive disposed within the fluid-conveying cavity configured to displace fluid; an inlet hose connected to the inlet of the fluid-conveying cavity; an outlet hose connected to the outlet of the fluid-conveying cavity; a nozzle configured to modify a fluid flow from the outlet hose; a nozzle interface detachably joining the nozzle to the outlet hose; an electric motor attached to the pump drive configured to rotate the pump drive; and an electrical interface configured to join a power source to the electric motor; wherein the inline portable electric fluid pump further includes an auxiliary shut-off valve configured to restrict fluid flow within the outlet hose; wherein the inline portable electric fluid pump further includes an on/off switch configured to selectively transmit voltage between the electrical interface and the electric motor; wherein the inline portable electric fluid pump further includes a rotary switch comprising a rheostat configured to selectively restrict magnitude of voltage transmitted between the electrical interface and the electric motor, wherein adjustment of the rotary switch facilitates a corresponding-adjustment in fluid flow displaced by the inline portable electric fluid pump; wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery detachably joined to the electrical interface and a battery charger detachably joined to the rechargeable battery; wherein the inline portable electric fluid pump further includes a control circuit configured to transmit voltage to the electric motor when the shut-off valve is opened; wherein the battery charger is selected from a group consisting of a car charger and a wall charger; wherein the inlet hose and the outlet hose each comprise flexible conduits; wherein the nozzle interface comprises an interrupted thread configured to facilitate expedient exchanges of nozzles; wherein the pump drive is self-priming; wherein the shut-off valve is attached to the outlet hose; wherein the pump drive is constructed of corrosion resistant materials; and wherein the electric motor is waterproof.
 18. The portable pump of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the portable pump is arranged as a kit.
 19. A method of displacing a fluid, the method comprising the steps of: providing a portable pump configured to transfer fluid comprising: a pump housing, a fluid-conveying cavity having an inlet and an outlet integrated within the pump housing, a pump drive disposed within the fluid-conveying cavity configured to displace fluid, an inlet hose connected to the inlet of the fluid-conveying cavity, an outlet hose connected to the outlet of the fluid-conveying cavity, a nozzle configured to modify a fluid flow from the outlet hose, a nozzle interface detachably joining the nozzle to the outlet hose, an electric motor attached to the pump drive configured to rotate the pump drive, and an electrical interface configured to join a power source to the electric motor; inserting the inlet hose into a body of fluid; positioning the outlet hose at a desired deposition location; opening the shut-off valve; activating the electric motor, the electric motor being configured to rotate the pump drive.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of closing the shut-off valve. 